How does the USPTO handle non-English language patent documents?
The USPTO has implemented measures to make non-English language patent documents more accessible to examiners: English language abstracts: Until October 1995, it was the practice in the Office to classify and place only a single patent family member for each invention in the examiner search files. In addition, all non-English language patent documents placed in…
Read MoreWhat automated search tools are available to patent examiners for accessing foreign patents?
Patent examiners have access to several automated search tools for accessing foreign patents: Examiner’s Automated Search Tool (EAST) Web-based Examiner’s Search Tool (WEST) Foreign Patent Access System (FPAS) Derwent World Patents index (available on EAST and WEST) The MPEP states: The foreign patents so obtained are available to examiners from the USPTO’s automated search tools…
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